Sand sifting star died.

[Rip Van Winkle]

The star I added looks kinda like this I found that image online from memory so I'm not certain but it does look a lot like that.

Okay, so we're talking about the same thing. The video I posted show a slightly different species but the eating habits are the same. (My point is it can be fed directly) I make this point because there was a concern in the thread that the star died of starvation. So, if/when you get another star, when you get it in your system, you can try to feed it directly. If it eats, then you know it's not starving because you just fed it and saw it eat, right?

I haven't ever had a serpent star(unless thats what my brittle star is?)

Yes. This is exactly what I have in my tank. So it looks like we're talking about the same thing.

Maybe for my fuge but I'm not sure I'd like the way that would look in my tank plus wouldn't the tangs pull them out of the sand?

Possibly? Not sure about that because I don't have any tangs (yet). The thing is, these grasses are pretty well anchored in the sandbed in the wild. Maybe the tang might rip out the blades rather than tear up the roots but depends on how firm your substrate is also. It's one of many possible solutions to keep a sandbed clean. Up to you to decide what's good for your tank.

 

[Maritimer]

Brittle stars and serpents are very similar - I generally see the ones with the spikier arms called "brittle" and the ones with smoother arms called "serpent" stars. Both are great CUC which feed primarily on detritus - some of the larger ones can take down smaller fish, though.

~Bruce

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Brittle stars and serpents are very similar - I generally see the ones with the spikier arms called "brittle" and the ones with smoother arms called "serpent" stars. Both are great CUC which feed primarily on detritus - some of the larger ones can take down smaller fish, though.

You mean they can snatch fish swimming by out of the water?

 

[Maritimer]

The very large green serpents are somewhat notorious for it - or at least for snacking on fish after lights-out. I've seen one grab a floating krill and reel it in, so I wouldn't put it past 'em.

Your guy should be fine though.

~Bruce

 

[Jlentz]

I used to have two of the brittle stars pictured above in my reef. I suspect they were responsible for a few small fish deaths.

I pulled them out when I caught one peeling a snail off the glass.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Hmm. Interesting. I have many in my system (maybe 6 or 7) and have never seen anything like that. I have tiny gobys (the size of a fingernail) that I've collected from tide pools compared to the stars (the size of my hands) and an many different kinds of snails. I don't see them eating anyone.

Not saying it can't happen. I'll keep an eye out for that but I'd be surprised to see that, very honestly.